Pitman's Kindle School is ahead of the curve in anti-bullying policies

PITMAN — Kindle School fifth-grader Mason Smith said his school’s anti-bullying campaigns have been very effective so far, creating a school environment that everyone can enjoy.

“We’ve been making sure no one yells at each other or calls each other names and that everyone keeps their hands to themselves,” said Mason, 10, who serves as a school safety. “If you’re not friendly and fair, you’re mean to others. It’s important to be respectful.”

Principal Fran Yearwood said to recognize the state-designated Week of Respect, students have been participating in various activities meant to emphasize the positive attributes they should possess to be good classmates and citizens. But Kindle’s anti-bullying campaign started long before the state released its new guidelines, beginning in 2009 with a visit from personal empowerment coach Randy Nathan who offered character education guidelines students have followed ever since.

Kindle School had a mural painted over the summer which features cartoon kids playing, highlighting the message “Kindle kids are friendly, fair, respectful, helpful and kind.” Yearwood said, during this Week of Respect, students read the words aloud before they head out to recess each day. And, each morning, a student has been adding encouragement to follow these guidelines during morning announcements.

“Fifth graders made banners for the hallway and the art teacher had students create a wall mosaic,” said Yearwood. “The teachers have also been having class meetings every day, taking each one of the characteristics and telling students what it looks like in a person and how it affects the school, town, nation and world.”

Yearwood said Kindle hopes to provide the kids with the tools they need to think and act positively all the time.

“Our Coach Randy Patrol has reorganized with new students for this year, and they’re already planning activities,” said Yearwood. “I’m so thankful for our Home and School Association who sponsored Coach Randy’s visit. We’ve been doing that for two years, and it’s given us a common language and a good foundation to build on. Of course, we have to continue to work on it and talk about it for it to be effective.”

Reading the mural, most of the students seemed to feel all of the positive characteristics are important for their school.

“If we didn’t act this way, we would all be out of hand and get in trouble a lot,” said Skye Chang, 10.

“We’d be out of control, and it would be hard for anyone to make friends,” added Jessica Wilson, 10.

Jake Maden said, as a safety officer, he is responsible to help enforce these positive qualities.

“We’re helping people to be more respectful and fair,” said Jake, 10. “We don’t want kids to bully. We want them to be kind.”

Justin Adams and Sean Drummey, both 10, said they’ve seen a positive change among their classmates since these ideas were promoted.

“With bullies around, it just makes life harder for everyone,” said Justin.

Katelyn Tierney, 8, said the respect policies are good for all students.

“If we weren’t doing this, it wouldn’t be nice to go to this school,” said Katelyn.

“There might be more bullies and people wouldn’t be as nice,” added Cameron Cronin, 8.

Ian Keith and Isabella Ross, both 8, said they’ve enjoyed being part of a school where “most people are nice.”